The Importance of Breastfeeding for the Health of Children up to 3 Years of Age Born in Families at High Risk for Allergies // Значение на кърменето за здравето на деца до 3 години от семейства с висок риск за алергия

One hundred twenty children with a family history of allergy, born full-term, without accompanying diseases and malformations, were followed from birth to 3 years of age to study the influence of breastfeeding on the growth, acute morbidity, allergy expression and neurodevelopment (ND). Weight, height, head circumference and allergic manifestations are monitored at 2, 4, 6 months, at 1 year and at the age over 2 years. The influence of exclusive breastfeeding, the duration of breastfeeding, and the type of milk feeding are also examined on the appearance of allergies and acute morbidity. ND is studied by applying the DP-3 methodology while controlling for the factors: smoking of parents, number of family members and siblings. Breastfed babies have been found to have a healthier growth rate and have fewer and shorter respiratory and digestive illnesses. Children with food allergies get sick and are hospitalized more often from acute illnesses. Children with atopic dermatitis have a slower growth rate than those without. The expression of allergies is more common in boys. Allergies are most common in those fed by standard infant formula. Most allergies occur in children who were breastfed less than 6 months. Children of smoking mothers have lower indicators of ND. The use of infant formula versus breast milk is a statistically significant factor on boys' overall ND. The duration of breastfeeding does not affect the ND. The number of family members influences the ND.

Grantor dc:publisher

Medical University of Varna

Year dc:date

2023

Authors dc:creator

• Marinova-Achkar, Miglena
• Маринова-Ашкар, Миглена

• allergy
• breastfeeding
• neurodevelopment
• growth rate
• Хигиена и епидемиология / Hygiene and Epidemiology

Repository record dc:identifier

http://repository.mu-varna.bg/handle/nls/3260

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.mu-varna.bg:nls/3260